Schenker AS and Green Cargo sign a new agreement for rail freight transportation between Oslo and Narvik

For Schenker, rail freight is an important part of their network and a part of the company’s DNA. Strengthening rail freight gives them environmental advantages aligned with their focus on developing more sustainable logistics solutions. Green Cargo is therefore a key partner that takes sustainability issues seriously.

Quality was a critical part of the negotiations, and now the parties have entered a partnership that will strengthen the market offering considerably and leave Schenker better equipped for the future.

The agreement pertains to Schenker’s rail freight product North Rail Express (NRE) on the Oslo–Narvik route. When the agreement starts on 1 January 2020, five trains will depart each week with a capacity for 52 TEU in each direction. The delivery of consumer goods, medicine, salmon and other industrial raw materials will stabilize and the environment will benefit.

“We are very pleased and proud over our partnership agreement, which further strengthens the competitiveness of Schenker’s customers and its own flexibility in a growing market between regions. Rail freight is needed for a competitive business climate and to reach climate goals, both now and in the future,” says Richard Kirchner, SVP of Commercial, Green Cargo.

In choosing a supplier, Schenker prioritized forward-looking and quality-focused train operating companies. Green Cargo is one of the largest rail freight operators in the Nordic region and focuses on identifying solutions to meet customer needs. New disc brake cars were an important part of developing solutions for a more stable and modern traffic plan. Schenker now has access to modern, reliable equipment. The NRE train’s capacity has expanded considerably and, together with higher shipment quality, will significantly strengthen the offering to trade and industry.

“Schenker is one of the largest freight forwarders, with great potential for more freight on the rails. Taking NRE a step forward with a more efficient and more stable solution gives us the possibility to also increase interest among other companies around understanding the importance of increasing rail-freight volumes for climate-smart transportation,” says Anders Ohlsén, Strategic Account Manager at Green Cargo.